Pittsburgh Steelers: Grading big free agent signings so far

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Grade: A+

Whatever your opinion of JuJu Smith-Schuster’s antics on TikTok and social media, you have to admit that he is one heck of a receiver, especially when Ben Roethlisberger is around. After a tough year with a rotating cast of quarterbacks in 2019, Smith-Schuster bounced back with an excellent 2020 as the Steelers’ go-to possession receiver.

He racked up 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns and accounted for 48 first downs which lead the entire team. The former USC Trojan did most of his damage with YAC as 409 of his receiving yards, nearly half of his season total, came after the catch. His yards per reception was down nearly five yards from his 2019 season but that was also the nature of the Steelers’ short passing offense.

Smith-Schuster’s return to Pittsburgh is no surprise but the fact that he signed for just one-year, $8 million is certainly a surprise. He reportedly had offers from Kansas City and Baltimore but with no long term offers on the table he chose to re-up with Pittsburgh and look for a payday in 2021 as many of his peers have done.

There is little downside to this move but the Steelers will likely have to loosen up their purse strings if they want to retain him after the 2021 season. With the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger looming they may want to keep their talented young receiver around for the rebuild but it will cost them a pretty penny.